Earth day April 22, 2015

Updated: Apr 17

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."

-- Native American Proverb

The founder of earth day was Gaylord Nelson, a US senator. His aim was to raise consciousness about water and air pollution and with his idea, it gained enough momentum to get 20 million Americans involved in earth-saving activites on that first earth day. There were many demonstrations all over the US protesting the state of the environment, industrial pollution and environmental disasters such as oil spills but also the use of pesticides and the loss of wilderness. The success of the first earth day, led to the passage of laws to lesssen water and air pollution and protect wildlife in the US.

In 1990, earth day went global and 141 countries got involved in earth day awareness activities, leading to activites such as recycling becoming more important and widespread. Of course there have been many who have fought against Earth day, especially big business such as oil companies, just as there have been and still are many who deny that the environment is deteriorating, and that the climate is changing. Did you know that the poorest nation on earth Kiribati, a small island nation in the pacific will soon become uninhabitable because of climate change? In 2008, the president declared the need to evacuate due to rising water levels and in 2013 started evacuating its citizens.

In 2015 there will be millions of people in 192 countries involved in celebrating earth day. Will you be one of those people

What can you do this earth day? There are many things that you can do on the day or start as a routine in your life in the effort to make your life make less impact onb the environment.

Use your car less and car pool.

Use bicycle and/or public transport when you can

Use a more fuel economical car if you can.

Buy energy from renewable sources (wind, solar etc).

Install solar panels if you live in an area blessed with sunshine.

Recycle everything that is recyclable and reuse that which isn't.

Buy products with no or little packaging.

Buy your produce from markets fresh from the farmer.

Use more energy efficent appliances.

Turn off the lights when you leave rooms.

Invest in insulation or sealing windows and doors so as to use less energy to heat or cool your house or workplace.

Take quicker less hot showers.

Plant a tree or at least a plant if you live in an apartment and don't have access to a place where you can plant a tree.

Use natural or organic skincare products

Choose or make natural cleaning products, including detergents.

There are many other ways. Why don't you tell us how you are planning to celebrate earth day this year?